The school year just started, but 30 students at Rugby High School will have June 2015 on their minds constantly. And it’s not just because they’re dreading winter or classes.

The group of juniors and seniors and four school chaperones will fly to Peru for a nine-day study abroad trip – the school’s first trip of that nature.

“Everybody was really excited about it because it’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” RHS student Alicia Leier said.

The trip, organized by a Denver representive of EF?Educational Tours, cost about $3,300 per student.

Students have picked up jobs to cover costs and hosted junior high dances to raise money. Bailey Nelson has fundraised on her own, and Lauren Kraft worked at Dakota Farms this summer.

Trip advisers and teachers Kevin Leier and?Ashley Stricker will be joined by principal Jared Blikre and superintendent Mike McNeff as chaperones.

Kevin Leier said students have been in charge of the two-year planning period, which has offered them a learning experience in budgeting.

“The trip is the ultimate way of extending the classroom,” Kevin Leier said, “so to be able to offer that is pretty cool.”

A 2.75 minimum GPA?is required and students also have behavioral contracts. Standing on Machu Pichu and overlooking the Andes Mountains is the reward.

The students will have a freewill offering supper at a block party following a 2:30 p.m. Adventure Run 5K on Sept. 20. Registration for the run is $20. A Bison feed and games will follow at 5:30 p.m. An outdoor movie on the football field will follow supper.

“Rugby’s fundraised so bad, so we wanted to sit down as a group and find something that gives back to the community,” Kevin Leier said.